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Palm Beach Gardens attorney Thomas Matevia was sued Wednesday by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller for operating an allegedly illegal loan modification company in his state.

The complaint is against Matevia’s company Legal Home Loan Solutions, but also names Federal Home Loan Solutions, the Matevia Law Firm and Matevia himself as defendants.

According to the suit, Matevia’s companies solicited struggling Indiana homeowners by phone and e-mail offering foreclosure prevention services such as loan modifications and help negotiating short sales.

The company allegedly charged upfront fees of as much as $3,150 to clients. It is a violation of Indiana law to charge upfront fees for loan modifications. The suit also says the company never obtained a state-required $25,000 surety bond.

Twenty-one victims are listed in the suit, which seeks restitution for the consumers as well as civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.

Matevia is listed in Florida records as an officer with Federal Home Loan Solutions, a Jupiter based company that dissolved in 2009. There is no business record for Legal Home Loan Solutions in the Florida Division of Corporations.

The Florida Attorney General’s office has received 77 complaints about Legal Home Loan Solutions, a spokeswoman said Thursday. Consumers with complaints were referred to the Florida Bar, which is the primary regulator agency for Florida attorneys.

Matevia is a member in good standing with the Florida Bar and has no history of disciplinary action during the past 10 years, according to the group’s website. But the Florida Bar confirmed Thursday it has opened an investigation into Matevia’s loan modification dealings. A message left at his office was not returned Thursday.